Arts Directory

live in Rockford, Illinois with my husband, son, dog and horse.  I earned my B.F.A. and M.A. degrees in painting from Northern Illinois University.  My work has been exhibited nationally and internationally and is included in private and corporate collections in the United States, Sweden, Luxembourg, France and Great Britain.  Three of my watercolors were selected by Ambassador Barbro Owens-Fitzpatrick to hang in the U.S. ambassadorial residence in Niamey, Niger, Africa and two were selected by Ambassador Martinez for the U.S. ambassadorial residence in Rangoon, Burma.  My beaded bag,  “Tiger,” was selected for Bead Expo ’07 and reproduced in the June/July, 2007 issue of “Beadwork” magazine.  My silk painting is included in the book “The Best of Silk Painting” by Jan Janas and Diane Tuckman.  I am listed in Who’s Who in American Art, am co-author of the book, “Now What?” This Art Business,” am represented by galleries throughout the Midwest, and am a member of various artists’ associations.

ARTIST STATEMENT   
Animals, particularly wild animals, have a sense of themselves that is unique.  They look directly at the world, confident of their place.  They have a sense of self without self-doubt.
My work is an exploration of color, value and form with representational subject matter. I use the juxtaposition of positive and negative shapes along with color and value contrasts to form a composition based loosely on the tenets developed by the early Baroque painters in Holland known as the Dutch Little Masters.
My father said, “Art is okay for a hobby, but don’t take it too seriously.”
My uncle said, “Jennie, I knew you painted but I really didn’t think you’d be any good.”
My friend said, “Doesn’t it make you feel good to know that your art will survive you?”
That I might be taking the wrong road, that I might not be good enough, those things I had thought of, but that third one, that took me by surprise.  For that third possibility, every piece I do is my best effort.

Karen Gines grew up in Roosevelt Utah on the White Rocks Indian Reservation where her father was a teacher in the Indian Schools, before they were integrated.  This high desert country, with its wide sky and minimal landscape, provided a treasure trove of experiences for her young imaginative mind.  At times the Native American influence of her past crops up in symbols and titles.  Her relationship to the elemental is apparent in the way she imprints her canvas with the energy of the unseen world with flashes of color.

Karen says, “I am a painter of energy.  A major part of our world is energetic in nature and invisible to the eye.  I draw the content for my art from this unseen dimension.  An energetic field is always flowing around us.  It is colorful, in motion, alive and vibrant.  At times I can almost feel the sparks fly off my brush.  I love to paint like I love to laugh.  Pablo Picasso got it right when he said, “Painting isn’t an aesthetic operation; it’s a form of magic.”

Karen is on the faculty of Womanspace where she teaches painting and she also participates with local organizations in fund raising through art in the Rockford community.  Her work is at Bennie’s Cleaners upstairs loft during ArtScene both Fall and Spring.  Karen welcomes commission and invites visitors, by appointment, to her residence/studio space to see her latest work.

Ingrid Hyde attended the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, earned a B.S. in Art Education from Northern Illinois University, and a M.A. in School Administration and Leadership from St. Xavier University.  Her work has been displayed in juried shows, galleries, and private and corporate collections around the United States.  She is currently an Art Director and educator in the public schools and has developed a Success Based Art Curriculum for all ages and abilities.

“Sweet Spot” Acrylic and spray paint on canvas

“Color Sting” Acrylic and spray paint on canvas